Volunteer at The Happy Herd

Interested in Volunteering at The Happy Herd?

If you are interested in volunteering for us we would love to have you. The more organized we are and the more commitment we have from our amazing volunteers, the better the experience will be for you and for the animals. They also enjoy seeing the same, familiar faces and love to bond with volunteers that can commit to a specific schedule.

Some quick information to consider:

Volunteers must be 16 years or older.

We prefer our volunteers are able to commit to a regular schedule (i.e. once a week, or once every two weeks).

If you are unable to come on your scheduled day, call or text Diane (number will be provided once confirmed as volunteer).

We do not permit outside dogs as our chickens, ducks and turkeys are free to wander around the property.

Volunteering Hours:

Year Round: 9:30AM – 12:00PM

Transportation:

There is no convenient public transportation to our Sanctuary therefore private or group arranged transportation must be organized by the volunteers.

What Does Volunteering at an Animal Sanctuary Involve?

Be sure to wear farm appropriate attire: boots or rubber boots, clothing that can get dirty, gloves & a mask if you’re sensitive to dust when cleaning stalls.

Please do not bring friends with you unless you have been a minimum of 4x to volunteer & have checked with Diane first. Too many people can make things confusing and jobs can get missed. It works best when everyone is in a routine and doesn’t need to be supervised.

There is a volunteer room where you can leave items & a bathroom at the back of the property, next to the donkey and cow areas, beside the feed room.

Be sure to ask Diane what you can feed and how much.

On your first day you’ll have an orientation with another volunteer where you’ll meet the animals and be shown around the farm. Someone will be available to help you orient to the different jobs so you become comfortable.

Cleaning of Cows, Pigs, Donkey, Goats & Sheep Stalls:

Raking up old hay and poo into wheelbarrows

Sweep and pick up waste in goat pen

Dumping waste on to designated dump site

Replace bedding (straw or shaving)

Filling hay mangers

Emptying, scrubbing, cleaning and refilling water barrels

Cleaning of Chicken Coops:

Clean and refilling water bowls & food

Cleaning of waste

Gather eggs from the coops

Strip all old bedding from floor and nesting boxes (monthly)

Putting down light layer of lime and then cover with shavings

Refill nesting boxes with shavings

Meal Preparation for the Animals:

Sorting vegetables and fruits in the feed room

Discarding unusable items

Preparing meals for the animals as needed

Ensuring a wheelbarrow of hay is left for afternoon feedings of animals

Animal Care:

Brush and play with the animals

Pigs love belly rubs

All animals love to be groomed

The pigs need mud holes filled with water in the hot summer weather

General Tasks:

General clean up of barn area & removal of hay from grass areas around farm

Notifying Diane & Steve if running low on any items around the farm (hay/straw/shavings/ advising of broken tools etc).

Storage of tools in proper area and tidy up during and after completion of work

Weeding/watering garden/plants

Moving Hay into barn loft

Painting fences/houses

Feel free to take pictures and pet the animals, but please remember the volunteer work comes first! The farm needs volunteers to help spread the work out and ensure all jobs are completed so the animals are taken care of properly, and more work isn’t left for the next day’s volunteers.

By volunteering, you’re freeing the owners up to collect food, run errands for the farm, answer emails, pick up medicine, treat any sick animals etc.

We appreciate your help more than you can realize! Thank you for your commitment to the animals & The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary. Please make sure to consider all of the above before deciding you want to volunteer. Volunteering is work, but it is also very rewarding! If you’re willing, we would love to have you!

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us at animals@happyherd.org. Please fill out this application and bring it with you on your first day. Thank you!